Tanzania Opens Mining Equipment Plant to Boost Local Manufacturing and Cut Import Dependence

Tanzania is strengthening its domestic mining supply chain with the opening of a new wire mesh manufacturing plant designed to supply underground mining operations, create jobs and expand local industrial capacity.

Geofields Tanzania Limited officially opened the facility in Kerege, Bagamoyo District, in the Pwani Region, on 17 October 2026. The inauguration was led by Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde.

Operating under Geofields Underground Support (GUS), the plant has an annual production capacity of more than 100,000 panels. Its output will support ground reinforcement and safety requirements in underground mines, helping mining companies’ source specialised products locally rather than relying entirely on imported supplies.

Geofields founder and director Denis Dillip said the facility was designed to meet the needs of mining operations across Tanzania, with plans to expand production and strengthen the company’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.

The company has also established a branch in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of its regional expansion strategy.

Local Manufacturing Creates Opportunities for Tanzanian Businesses

The investment reflects Tanzania’s efforts to increase local participation in the mining sector by encouraging domestic companies to supply more of the goods and services required by mining operations.

Dillip credited the government’s local-content policies with helping create opportunities for Tanzanian businesses. He also highlighted partnerships with African Underground Mining Services (AUMS), its Australian partners Perenti and Barminco, and Geita Gold Mine as important contributors to the company’s development.

Geofields has invested in modern manufacturing technology and technical expertise to produce equipment that meets international quality and safety standards. Specialists trained in Australia and China have been engaged to strengthen technical capabilities, facilitate technology transfer and improve production efficiency.

The company currently employs 105 people and intends to create additional jobs as production expands. The investment is also expected to support the development of specialised skills and create opportunities for local suppliers and service providers.

Government Targets Growth in Mining Procurement

Mavunde welcomed the investment, saying the government wanted to position Tanzania as a regional manufacturing and supply hub for mining equipment.

He encouraged Tanzanian entrepreneurs to take advantage of procurement opportunities in the sector, which were estimated at approximately Sh5.1 trillion. He also stressed the importance of creating a supportive business environment in which local manufacturers can supply domestic mines and compete in regional and international markets.

Pwani Regional Commissioner Stanislaus Nyongo said the new facility would strengthen the region’s industrial base, which already includes 1,768 large and small industries.

Subira Mgalu, chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals, urged Geofields to prioritise residents of the surrounding communities when recruiting additional workers.

Mining Commission chairperson Janeth Reuben Lekashingo said the performance of Tanzania’s mining sector should be measured not only by mineral production, but also by the growth of local companies, employment creation, technology transfer and the establishment of domestic industries.

Strengthening Africa’s Mining Supply Chains

The Geofields investment highlights the growing importance of developing local manufacturing capacity around Africa’s mining industry. Producing specialised equipment domestically can help retain more economic value within host countries, shorten supply chains and create skilled employment beyond direct mining operations.

For Tanzania, the new plant offers an opportunity to deepen industrial participation in a sector that generates substantial demand for equipment, engineering and technical services.

Its longer-term impact will depend on production growth, product quality, the ability to compete on cost and the company’s success in securing customers in Tanzania and neighbouring markets.

As governments across Africa seek to capture more value from mineral resources, investments such as Geofields’ facility demonstrate how local manufacturing can support industrial development while supplying the equipment needed to keep mines operating safely and efficiently.